How To Stop Bad Breath

Bad Breath Remedies

Bad Breath Prevention from Riverside Dental Center

People with bad breath (or halitosis), may have difficulty combating this disorder. Various products on the market, like breath spray, mouthwash, and gum, claim to lower bad breath. However, most sufferers realize that these items only serve to mask the smell. While some mouth rinses work well to remove plaque buildup and decrease the risk of cavities, most over-the-counter mouthwashes do nothing to combat the actual cause of bad breath.

Speak with your dentist about your issues with bad breath. He or she should be able to help you to better understand why you have this issue and how to resolve it. Some possible solutions may be:

Improve Oral Hygiene

Nearly everyone knows that you should brush your teeth at least twice each day. Those with bad breath may increase brushing to occur after each meal. Flossing is also vital. Flossing removes food particles that brushing does not. These food particles, if left in the mouth, can cause bad breath thanks to an overgrowth of bacteria. Also, many people forget to brush their tongue, which can host bacteria if not cleaned daily. Excellent oral hygiene can improve many cases of bad breath.

Treat Dry Mouth

Otherwise known as Xerostomia, dry mouth is a very common condition. Though dry mouth is most commonly seen as a side effect to certain medications, there are many instances in which a reason for Xerostomia is unknown. To improve dry mouth, you may need to drink more liquids, use saliva stimulants, or use saliva substitutes. Your dentist will be able to help you decide what is best for you.

Change in Diet

Bad breath is not always a direct cause of that spicy curry dish you had for lunch. Though food particles can become stuck in your teeth and cause an immediate bad odor after a pungent meal, repeated ingestion of certain foods can cause long-lasting halitosis. These foods can become absorbed by your body, including your lungs. As you breathe out, the residual smell from the food is released into the air. The good news is that once the food has completely evacuated the body, the smell should be gone as well. The bad news is that each time this food is eaten, the process starts over again. You can work to pinpoint which foods may be causing the bad breath, and then eliminate them from your diet.

Stop Tobacco Use

Everyone knows that using tobacco is one of the most dangerous things you can do to your body. Tobacco users increase their risk for stroke, heart disease, oral cancer, and countless other diseases and disorders. Of course, tobacco also causes bad breath. Your dentist can help you learn how to stop using this deadly substance.

In some instances, bad breath caused by underlying medical problems. After a thorough examination, your dentist may refer you to another physician who can explore other reasons for your chronic halitosis.